Jim Collins says that when you have the right people doing the right work you don't really need to concentrate on motivating them - they will show up motivated. What you need to do is make sure you don't do anything to de-motivate the people on your team. So, leaders, coaches and staff - here are the top 10 ways to de-motivate your volunteer teams:
1. A sense that their service is not valuable.
2. A sense that they do not matter as a person, only as a "worker"
3. A sense that their contribution is not as valid as others.
4. A lack of community.
5. A lack of connection with a bigger purpose.
6. Poor leadership and management.
7. Poor communication/direction.
8. Lack of appreciation.
9. Failure to recognize them as a donor.
10. Lack of development of them as a person.
If you want more on this - it came from a terrific article, Transforming Volunteers Into Kingdom Laborers put out by Leadership Network. I think they are right on. What do you think?
Hello,
Just surfin christian blogs. God Bless and keep digging deeper.
When you get a moment check out my blog. I think you may like it.
Posted by: Randy Furco | May 03, 2006 at 05:24 AM
I love this list. It seems like we focus a lot on #8 and virtually ignore #'s 5 and 10. I'd also say that there's a lack of some sense of accomplishment. Train them to succeed and then point to that success.
Posted by: Sean Michael Murphy | May 03, 2006 at 02:09 PM
Hello Dave,
I don't know if you remember me. I am the Irish guy who attended your church back in '95, '96. I worked with Dave Richa with the High Schoolers. Since then I moved to Charlotte, NC. I was on staff at Mecklenburg Community Church as Small Groups Pastor. I am now at Church at Charlotte as Connecting Pastor (Assimilation).
It's great to see what God has done/doing through you. Blessings upon you, brother.
John
Posted by: John Teeling | May 22, 2006 at 07:49 PM
John,
Wow - a blast from the past! Good to hear from you. If you are looking to catch up with Richa - http://www.newthing.org/jacobsWell
Dave
Posted by: Dave Ferguson | May 22, 2006 at 09:20 PM
I am a Middle school girls sunday teacher at my church. I read your comments and went to the other link posted and it really hit a nerve. I agree totally with these statements and will spread them to our church community. I have felt most of these things in the past and could never really pinpoint my thoughts on why I was feeling like I should not be teaching. I am glad you had this posted. Thanks so much.
CDunn
Posted by: Carolee | May 27, 2006 at 09:11 AM
Carolee, I'm glad this was a benefit to you. This is something as a leader that you should use to keep your people motivated. Don't use it against your leadership...you might demotivate them (see #6). Keep up the good work! Without leaders like you the church of Jesus does not accomplish His mission!
Posted by: Dave Ferguson | May 29, 2006 at 07:42 PM